Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded to a grass fire on Wednesday afternoon near Lake Kampeska. At approximately 12:13 p.m. on April 16th, 2025, WFR was dispatched to the area of 44622 170th St, about 1.5 miles west of Lake Kampeska. The fire began on the south side of Codington County Road 10 and spread across the asphalt highway to the north before firefighters arrived.
Due to the fire’s spread, Henry Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) and Florence VFD were called in to assist. The fire moved through a line of trees along the roadway before crews were able to contain it. Firefighters faced challenges extinguishing the blaze because many old Ash trees had ignited. The fire spread quickly up the trunks of the trees, requiring crews to cut down multiple trees. The property owner provided machinery to help contain the fire and move the fallen trees.
The fire ultimately burned approximately five acres. Fire crews were on the scene for about five hours. The Codington County Sheriff’s Department also assisted with traffic control.
